Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

[Sunnymommy]

We keep it closed to block heat. It's an East facing window and the room boils without the blackout shade down. Gets up to 82 even with the (very ineffectual) AC running, shade down, etc. If we don't turn the light on it's pretty dark in there all day. I will try opening the shade earlier in the afternoon/evening tomorrow if we are home.

 

[John Sanders]

The people on this thread never leave anyone hanging! Bee, as always you are a pearl! I think when I'm explaining this I need to do a better job of stressing just what you stressed - bringing that pad down to the chicks and then adjusting it by bending the frame as they grow. I thought I had done that when I initially started the thread. I deliberately make my frame lower in the back than in the front - those that want a little extra heat get it by going to the back of the cave up against the top of the cave, those that are fine with less tend to stay to the front where the pad is a little further away from them. On the other hand I hate to discourage a little innovation and using what's on hand. I would still be using a heat lamp and brooding chicks for 8 weeks the house otherwise if I'd been easily discouraged and dissuaded.

I also have to be firm enough to say, "That simply will not work" when I know it won't.

So onward and upward.....Dandilioness, let's see those babies in their new cave! And good for you for being receptive to corrections and suggestions!

 

[bruceha2000]

2 year old post John. You planning to read the entire thread?

 

[John Sanders]

2 year old post John. You planning to read the entire thread?

I've read a good bit!!! Lol. Its still good info for newbies. It deserved a bump.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

I must confess to reading all 3000+ pages. It was great info and excellent bedside reading for a couple of nights.

 

[bruceha2000]

You go @NorthTexasWink !!!!!

I've read them all too but I started when there were only a few pages. Yes there is a lot of excellent info and people's various incarnations of the MHP "cave". One size doesn't fit all but the basic concept remains.

I just read your profile. You are (and have been for a long time!) one busy woman Wink!

 

[NorthTexasWink]

@bruceha2000 "A rolling stone gathers no moss". Whatever the heck that means. I've got a restless mind, curse or blessing, it is a fact. The rest of me just has no choice but to follow. And seriously, it's not THAT long of a time! (Yeah, it kinda is).

Depending on how well my young pullets sell this fall, I might do a bunch more chicks this winter or very early spring. Definitely using the mats again. I can't think why anyone would go back to heat lamps after using heat pads or seedling mats.

 

[aart]

I can't think why anyone would go back to heat lamps after using heat pads or seedling mats.

Capacity.
You can only put so many chicks under a 12x24 heating pad.
Couple folks have done a 12x48 rack with 2 pads tho.
....or Sweeter Heaters have been around for years, much more capacity but more bucks.

 

[bruceha2000]

The biggest Sweeter Heater I see is only 11"x40", not even as big as 2 large heating pads. As @aart mentioned, expensive at $136. You can get 2 large pads NOT on sale for half that price.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

The huge seedling mats are pricey, yes. Less so since Amazon, but not cheap. I figure it's still a lot less expensive than a coop or house fire (or lost sleep worrying about having one), but maybe that's just me.